D-Jam
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D-Jam
ParticipantI’m not denying it…but amongst DJs the biggest complaint I’ve heard about the “death of the record store” is that loss of the “community” aspect.
For me, I use blogs to find new stuff I should check out. Especially trance music I just read blogs, listen to samples, and listen to sets from my fave DJs.
However, I do wonder at times if a “hangout” with the means to buy MP3s, coffee, etc…would work.
ParticipantThere’s been a report on how vinyl sales spiked recently, but it’s been more “hipsters” and others feeling “retro”.
ParticipantI agree with the idea of making bathroom-break mixes. In the past when you had two guys in the booth it was easier to take breaks. Now with people being tight on money, it ends up as one guy on his own.
Benny Mackney, post: 5898 wrote: As for Steve, I think he’s a bit arrogant but from what I know of pyrotechnics, it’s near-impossible to sync live.
I agree…hence why I only gave him flack for the first nine minutes of that video when he wasn’t doing his pyro show.
ParticipantI agree with Emma that you probably have individual tastes.
However, I also think many DJs are lazy and don’t bother to post tracklists.
They should though…it makes their mixes more SEO friendly and thus helps them get more hits.
ParticipantI envy how you all have the software now. Even if you want to learn manual, start off simply by pressing the sync “on” and then “off” so you have the BPM’s matched. From there you can learn how to adjust things manually with pitch bend and/or the jog wheels.
Baby steps…but also take into account learning to BLEND and not just match beats.
ParticipantYeah, but analyzing the Angello video, the last four minutes would be something justified, the first nine though were nothing more than what any DJ does.
I can condone sync and a DAW or DVS because there is still programming involved. Angello’s thing though makes me think it was all pre-planned, so he can’t even change it up if he wanted to.
My biggest fear though is when image becomes so important that we’ll see the role of a DJ be a model/popstar. Even worse when you walk into clubs and see some hot chick dressed as a gogo dancer in a booth looking like she’s DJing, but in reality it’ll be two ugly guys in a back room playing with a video monitor showing them the room.
ParticipantI’ve been back and forth on this one for days. I agree on the idea of a DJ perhaps making a pre-recorded megamix for reasons like a bathroom break or even for some special part of the show with a visual effects setup that needs to be in sync.
However, I watched this video and I don’t see that. I see a guy who fears a bad blend so much that he’ll cheat. The set itself was energetic, but nothing special that any DJ couldn’t do normally. You can’t claim the visual show as the reason for this because from an audio standpoint, you’re not bringing anything interesting to the table. I’ve seen light guys in Chicago here who did amazing shows with a live DJ going. Noting planned, but he felt the music enough that he was able to play his lights to that music…and would do special blasts and such on tunes he knew.
The pyro thing is NOT where I’ll admonish Angello. Again, for something special like that it’s an excuse, especially if he produced some amazingly-edited megamix to play. I’m talking about at 3:40 when he “brought in” One More Time by Daft Punk. The song “magically blended in” while he was fixing his hair and getting a smoke.
I’m sorry…there is NO EXCUSE for that. If you’re going there, then get a laptop and use a sync. Doing what he did is no better than lip syncing a live show. When you’re paid thousands to play in front of a massive crowd that’s paying $20-$40 each to get in, you don’t do that.
My biggest fear is this will become a precedent. We’ll see big names toss out the “DJ” aspect of it all and people will pay big money basically for a mix CD played on a big system with lights and guy doing Jesus poses.
If you’re not going to do the job, then don’t bother…or the crowds should get an eyeful and think twice before shelling out big money for a “big name DJ”.
ParticipantCybertrash, post: 5798 wrote: What? Tech 12’s can move? I thought they were welded to the fabric of spacetime.
My buddy is a scratcher, talented one too. He had his 12’s in a coffin and they would wiggle a little bit when he would tear it up. Hence why he went and made these cases.
ParticipantHaroon K, post: 5518 wrote: :rolleyes: Are you joking?
I’m sure most of it isn’t necessary, but I’d rather do anything to prevent any possible problem.
August 13, 2011 at 5:03 pm in reply to: Does the Laptop really make a difference on sound quality? #5794ParticipantI agree…it’s more about the soundcard.
The idea is the external USB soundcard is supposed to take over all sound functions from the computer.
ParticipantPretty cool.
My flight cases for my 1200s were made by a friend of mine. He used wood with felt and corners/hinges they sell for homemade speakers. Solid cases. He even built them so I had to remove the clips on the back for the dust covers…simply because he wanted them so you can scratch and the turntables won’t move.
ParticipantMatt Moncrieffe, post: 5568 wrote:
I will say I don’t plan on doing live sets anytime soon so how can I get the same quality mixes and tracks as you guys produce?It takes time and practice. You keep doing it and it grows. I listened to some mixes I made in 2001 and 2002 and could see things I’d consider as “mistakes” now. The best trick is to record yourself a lot. The 60s rock band The Byrds did this when they started. They recorded themselves a lot when they practiced so they could really hear how they sounded. This helped them grow faster.
So you’re using VDJ, and you could use the sync (I hope you’re using it). I’d tell you to worry about manual beatmatching later. If the program can handle beatmatching now, then let it. What you should focus on is BLENDING and PROGRAMMING. You should work on not just sliding the fader over while things are beatmatched, but trying to get a 1-2 min nice blend of the tunes, where the respective arrangements work with one another. Use the EQs to help balance the sounds and make the tracks meld together so many people can’t tell when one tune is leaving and another is coming in.
That and explore music. Look for things that become your own personal sound. Define yourself. I started off in 1992 wanting to sound like Bad Boy Bill, but grew into my own…which is a far cry from BBB.
Matt Moncrieffe, post: 5568 wrote: I also have a ton of questions to ask but I am not sure if I could use this thread as a basis for discussion and help?
Thank you for all you feedback, responses and help.
I’d suggest you start new threads when you need to ask questions. The reason is then they’ll show up in searches and thus your questions will help others. If I see a topic that is worth an entry, I’ll write up an article and Phil can post it on the blog.
All of you are welcome to ask. There is no such thing as a “stupid question”. I’ve been in this game for 19 years and Phil even longer. We’re here to help and make everyone grow. Utilize our past experiences and wisdom.
ParticipantI agree with others…perhaps look into an upgrade to Windows 7. It’s not as expensive as you might think.
If you want to stay on Vista, then learn to perhaps make a user profile with all the security toned down so it will run Traktor fluidly.
Make sure your RAM is maxed out.
As for gear, if you like Traktor and money is no object, get an S4.
ParticipantNot really. Most of my “enjoyment” music playing has been in the car or on the go…off my iPhone.
I know I’m more “old school” and I started on vinyl, but I never had a “closeness” to the physical item. I just wanted the tune…and when I hear it, then I feel close. I never cared about “holding it” or “caressing it”.
If I had the time I’d convert my whole collection to Wavs, somehow store them, and then get rid of the vinyls knowing I have a solid lossless backup.
ParticipantI usually post something in the forums on discogs.com
I’m usually asking for track IDs though…I’m sure they can do the same.
You should post a link to a youtube video or page on discogs though when you’re asking about finding a song similar to that one.
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